3 great escapes from Mumbai for water babies

Have a splash this weekend

Maharashtra’s Konkan coast is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but there’s much blue inland too, which often goes unnoticed. The Pawana Lake, for instance, or River Mulshi, which flows into a dam, are picturesque spots to escape to from the chaos of urban life. A host of absolutely stellar resorts and wellness centres have sprung up in this part of the country, which offer tailor-made fitness and nutrition packages, as well as a range of spa therapies. For the more adventurously inclined, there’s plenty of thrills to be had as well:

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Photo: Pankaj Anand

Mango Beach House – The Spa @ Awas, Alibag

Perhaps it’s the incredibly blue pool at this resort that makes families often book the whole place at a time! Plus, the eight deluxe rooms have comfy armchairs, a dhurrie in warm earth tones and artworks on the walls. Explore the neighbourhood on bicycles, which you can borrow from the house, and then hit the spa for a scrub or a Balinese or Swedish massage. Website. Doubles from Rs7,000

Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa

Away from the tourist traps of Lonavala, this all-villa wellness retreat has a 70-acre spa zone, featuring spa pool villas, a yoga pavilion and a meditation cave. Once you’re sufficiently detoxed, go bird-spotting, picnic by Pawana lake or take a long walk in the forest. And then retox at The Reserve, which boasts one of India’s largest wine cellars. Distance: 100km from Mumbai. Website. Doubles from Rs15,000

Atmantan Wellness Resort, Mulshi

When you don’t think splashing in the pool would do it for you, this 40-acre wellness sanctuary is where you head. The 106-room resort overlooking Mulshi dam has guestrooms and villas scattered at varying heights across a hill. The fitness and spa equipment is state-of-the-art, and the food is fresh and nutritious (but, thank heavens, not all vegetarian). Read more here. Website. Doubles from Rs1,12,500 per person for 3N